Engine Rebuilding ideas
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 72
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From: hialeah FL
Engine Rebuilding ideas
Hey guys,
This weekend will be the start of my 73 project and I'am gonna rebuild the engine.
It's an original 350 L-48. i want to increase the power of the engine. Does anybody have any ideas how i could increase the performance. Nothing too crazy and expensive. I don't want to waste my entire budget for the restoration on the engine itself.
Thanks
This weekend will be the start of my 73 project and I'am gonna rebuild the engine.
It's an original 350 L-48. i want to increase the power of the engine. Does anybody have any ideas how i could increase the performance. Nothing too crazy and expensive. I don't want to waste my entire budget for the restoration on the engine itself.
Thanks
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: hialeah FL
back than the L-48 had 190 hp stock, so i would like to increase it to 200 at least. budget wise i don't want to spend more than $4000. this is my first restoration so i don't want to spend alot for my first project.
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: tacoma wa
just my two cents.
if you want a stroker, go crate and keep your numbers match on the side.
or rebuild. bore and machine work as needed, pop up pistons near 10:1 port-polish stock heads, good alum intake (search forum) and healthy 650 cfm carb and mild cam. your wallet wont be drained too much and you will get near if not over 300 hp. that is without any smog. oh and you will want either to breath so dont forget headers and 2.5-3. exhaust.
if you want a stroker, go crate and keep your numbers match on the side.
or rebuild. bore and machine work as needed, pop up pistons near 10:1 port-polish stock heads, good alum intake (search forum) and healthy 650 cfm carb and mild cam. your wallet wont be drained too much and you will get near if not over 300 hp. that is without any smog. oh and you will want either to breath so dont forget headers and 2.5-3. exhaust.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: Glendale AZ
Well, you can buy the GM Performance 290hp engine from Summit Racing for $2000.
People will harp on it for this and that but here's the facts:
NEW engine. Everything is NEW. Not a rebuild. The engine is a COMPLETE long block and includes even the oil pan, valve covers, timing cover etc.
And since you are using it as a direct replacement it carries a 3 year, 100,000 mile warranty from GM.
I don't think you can beat that deal anywhere.
Shop around, you won't find a better deal for 290hp.
People will harp on it for this and that but here's the facts:
NEW engine. Everything is NEW. Not a rebuild. The engine is a COMPLETE long block and includes even the oil pan, valve covers, timing cover etc.
And since you are using it as a direct replacement it carries a 3 year, 100,000 mile warranty from GM.
I don't think you can beat that deal anywhere.
Shop around, you won't find a better deal for 290hp.
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
From: Streator Illinois
Is your $4000 budget for the entire restoration or just for the engine?
If for the whole car, a 290 hp crate like volition said is a good choice.
If just for the engine, a 383 is a 350 bored out .030 with a crankshaft from a 400 small block and will take a good chunk of your budget because of machine work, new pistons, etc.
Terry
If for the whole car, a 290 hp crate like volition said is a good choice.
If just for the engine, a 383 is a 350 bored out .030 with a crankshaft from a 400 small block and will take a good chunk of your budget because of machine work, new pistons, etc.
Terry
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 50
From: Laguna Niguel California
Definitely get rid of the stock heads. Go for new technology fast-burn style heads from various sources or GM. With the fast-burn heads you can run 10:1 compression for a very responsive engine. Then don't forget the one-piece oil pan gasket, no more drips on the garage floor. If you go for the 383, spend the money for a good quality new forged crank, not a cheap Chinese casting.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Dont need domed pistons to get 10:1 with a 383 or a 350.
Stroking it requires some extra clearancing/mockup work best left to a pro...ditch the stock heads if you can. no reason to not use the original block imo. If you internally balance it noone will ever know its bigger than a 350. Youll love it.
Even if they did deck the block and lost the #s its not a big deal with a '73
Stroking it requires some extra clearancing/mockup work best left to a pro...ditch the stock heads if you can. no reason to not use the original block imo. If you internally balance it noone will ever know its bigger than a 350. Youll love it.
Even if they did deck the block and lost the #s its not a big deal with a '73
